Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-08
WAITING AND WATCHING.
Mr.. Beecher Growing Weaker
and Slowly Sinking.
Scenes at the Bedside of the Great Divine
His Death hOmsntarily Expected.


A"e isse ouiie'in from Mr. Beecher II
dated at A. NJ. 1t says "Mr. Beecher
failed gradually during the night. His death,
however, is not anticipated at present"
1t was weary night that the members of
the Beecher household passed last night.
One by one they would silently move in and
out Of the death chamber, taking turns at the
dreary vigil. Dr. Searle was at the post OF
duty without intermission until nearly 6
O'Clock, when he retired to his home on
Henry street to snatch few hours rest.
Mrs. Beecher had kept watch over the
sick man most of the night, fearing that he
might pass away in her absence. She took.
however, few hours rest on her couch in
the room adjoining that where the sufferer
lay, but she left word to be called the instant
the slightest change in her husbands condi-
ton was noted. Col. Beecher, who lives in
the house with his family, was also ready at
moments notice to go to his fathers bed
side should the end come, but the dread sum.
mons did not reach him. He remained be-
side the bed for few hours while his mother
took little repose, but the wife did not re-
main long away from her husbands side, and
at daybreak was again in the sick chamber.
All day Sunday and until midnight an Off.
Ger on duty at the door Of the house was
Kept busy answering the queries of friends
and strangers. For hours people stood in
the cold, damp weather looking at the house,
and 1t was not until the lights in the windows
were lowered that the crowd dispersed. Even
as late as o'clock people climbed up the
steps and tried to read the last bulletin.
MAJOR Pond was in the house most of the
night. He told circumstances connected
with Mr., Beecher's daily occupation Just
previous TO the attack, showing considerable
feeling. He said that Mr. Beeeher, only on
Tuesday last, told him how strong he felt
and how glad he was that he would be able
to complete his book in time for the publish
ers, and what pleasure he found in writing
the work. All the morning, from just before
daylight, there was collected a crowd of pso-
pie on the sidewalk in front OF Mr.. Beechers
residence, eagerly scanning the latest bulle-
tin.
DR.. Searle at 10. 80 issued the following
bulletin: No change in Mr.. Beecher's condi-
ton since the last bulletin was issued. Rev.
DR.. Henry Jacobs of the Jewish Ministers
Association called at the house and was al
lowed to 20 into Mr.. Beecher's room. After
looking upon the form of the great divine he
sighed and left the room
The blinds in the second story front room
where Mr.. Beecher is lying. were slightly
raised while the blinds on the rest Of the
windows of the house we're lowered. A few
minutes after IL, Col. II. B. Beecher left the
house to go to his office for short time,
which would indicate that there is no imme
diate danger of the dissolution of his father.
Mr.. Beecher is being cared for by pro-
fessional nurse named Reardon. He says
that Mr.. Beechers pulse and temperature
was the same as at six o'clock. He lies in a
state Of como and does not move. His
breathing is heavy and quick. Ply mouth
rhpr Ill
night to make such arrangements as may be
necessary.
| At 1l.25, DR.. Searle returned to the house.
Before entering he said he would issue a
bulletin at noon. He did not expect any
change in Mr.. Beecher's condition. Life j,
slowly ebbing away and from the reports OF
those who have seen Mr.. Beecher. it is evil
dent that the end is not far off.
The following bulletin was issued at noon
The condition of Mr.. Beecher at this hour
does not vary essentially from that given to
the press last evening. The only changes
perceptible are an increase in the rapidity of
his pulse and respirations.
| These stood respectively at los and 36 to
50 per minute. Respiration is also more
shallow. Temperature reaches l0l degrees.
These symptoms indicate the gradual failure
Of vitality which has been anticipated and
the consequent slow approach of the end
The course Of the disease can only be
changed by the occurrences of hemorrhags,
and accident which NAV or may not happen
and the time Of which cannot be surmised
| There are no reasons for believing that q
fatal issue will occur today.
(Signed.) w. S. SEARLB, M. ID.
A telegram was received from Mrs. Harriet
Beecher Stowe, who is in Florida, stating
she was i'll and was not able to come. Tele-
geams have been received from Thomas X
Beecher who 10 on his way from Elmira and
from Charles Beecher in Florida. They will
be with the family as soon as possible.
Bulletin p. M.-Beecher's pulse is a little
more rapid. There is no perceptibls change.
(Signed.l W. S. SEARLE, M. ID.
Rev. DR.. Storrs called before supper ant
was in the sick room short time. Upor
leaving the house he said he thought Mr.
Beecher would not live through the night.
At $40 DR.. Searle left the house to q
home to his supper. He said bis patient
pulse had increased considerably and that he
was gradually growing weaker. 81 think b'
is entirely unconscious" he added, "bu
some members of the family seem to thinl
he recognizes them when they press his hald
He may live through the night and may di'
before morning" The doctor returned Il
! tit muse ut V. ~.
DR.. Searle issued the following bulletin a
Z. M:
This day in the history of Mr. Beecher'
sickness has been marked by frequent fluctu
ations within narrow limits. The rate o
neither pulse nor temperature nor respira
ton has long been constant. The pulse has
on the whole. increased in rapidity, onc'
rising to ia and now marking 10. Th
rate of respiration is nov 40. Temperatur
has varied between l0l and its present point
991. In general 1t may be said that bis con
duion is worse than st any time previous
Character Of the pulse indicates failure o
heart power. Respirstions have increased il
frequency and are more Impeded by create
sccunulations of mucus trechea than yestsr
day The temperature, taken every tw'
hours, has not been the same on any two sue
cessivs occasions. 1t 10 impossible to con
clude with any approach to certainty whethe
death will come by aspbyxia from failure 0
the respiratory centres or from paralysis 0
the heart, or both, or, as before stated, from
recurrence of hemorrhage. II Is therefor
obviously impossible to indicate the probabl
time Of termination Of the disease. 1t is
however, the opinion Of the physicians tba
the end will not come tonight. II is unnec
essary TO add that Mr.. Beecher 10 entirel,
unconscious and suffers no pain. Doubles